Cohort III - Head and Heart Philanthropy

Transcription

MARTHA’S VINEYARD
AUGUST 8-10, 2013
Compassion + Innovation= Change
We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business;
we are each other’s magnitude and bond.
~ Gwendolyn Brooks
Greetings!
After carrying a thought for six years, a year ago this weekend, Cohort I convened here
on the island. Since that time, much has happened in our local communities and
around the globe, summoning each of us to roll up our sleeves to do our part in
changing the world. The opportunity to serve is both a privilege and a gift to be
treasured.
Head and Heart Philanthropy Summit was created because I’m convinced that
collectively we can make an impact on the vulnerable and defenseless. I’ve never been
able to ignore people living in poverty, our neglected children and senior citizens, or
accept that poor children should suffer from a sub-standard education. I know that I am
not alone. Human indignity is disturbing, and my desire to connect with those who
house the same passion to create sustainable problem solving models is what gives me
hope.
To that end, the goal of this year's summit is to shift your perspective about the way we
approach philanthropy. With the complex issues we face, we must be innovative
visionaries, and compassionate leaders. As we mapped out this year's agenda, we
couldn’t think of a more fitting keynote speaker than Comcast Corporation’s Vice
President for Community Investment and President of the Comcast Foundation
Charisse R. Lillie. She is an excellent model of a public servant. I hope her life inspires
you to blaze a new trail.
I want to thank every speaker and participant for trusting me with their time and
resources. An extra special thanks to Brenda Boutte, Lybra Clemons, Yolanda Caraway,
Celeste Smith, Leshelle Sargent and Keshia Trotman for their extra effort.
Enjoy the summit!
In service,
Christal M. Jackson, Founder
For nearly two decades, Christal adopted a philosophy of servant leadership which is
deeply rooted in family traditions and values. Her career in the nonprofit/philanthropy sector began as an intern with The Children’s Defense Fund, then
UNCF-The College Fund, Executive Director for Central Pregnancy Care Center, the
first Major Gifts Officer for Share Our Strength, and development consultant to nearly a
dozen private foundations and non-profit organizations.
Christal, founded Head and Heart Philanthropy, a year ago out of a deep desire to
connect people around the work of social good and systemic change. Previous Head
and Heart summits have included President William J. Clinton, National Basketball
Retired Players Association, Sharif Atkins, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Tides
Foundation and Open Society Foundation.
She also founded Jackson and Associates Group, LLC, a boutique fund development
and branding firm focused on serving the philanthropic and socially conscious needs of
high net worth individuals, athletes, elected officials, celebrities, faith-based institutions
and community organizations. Her work earned her recognition in March Magazine
for Women as the only African American female featured in their inaugural publication.
After obtaining a dual-degree in Psychology and Religion from Spelman College in
Atlanta, Georgia, she furthered her education by attending Duke University School of
Divinity where she obtained a Masters of Theological Studies. While at Duke, she was
invited to participate in the National Capitol Semester for Seminarians at Wesley
Theological Seminary as an intern on Capitol Hill. This was a major turning point for
Christal, she was exposed to the intersection of policy, philanthropy and theology. It
was during this season she truly discovered that “Love” is a verb!
She was recognized by EBONY Magazine as one of their Future 30 Leaders of America
and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work. She is the author of
Women of Color Pray Voices of Strength, Faith, Healing, Hope, and Courage. Christal
serves on numerous boards and guilds -Junior League of America, Woodhull, National
Alumnae Association Spelman College, Duke Alumni Association, EPIP-Emerging
Practitioners in Philanthropy and inaugural member of CUP-The Council of Urban
Professionals-Leadership Board and Urban Souls Dance Ensemble.
She attributes her love for art and family to her Haitian heritage. In her spare time, she
enjoys cooking, reading, playing the piano and traveling.
Schedule
Head and Heart Philanthropy Summit
August 7-10, 2013
Martha’s Vineyard
Agenda
Wednesday, August 7th
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School
12:00 PM-3:00 PM
Harlem Fine Arts Opening Ceremony & Barbecue
Thursday, August 8th
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Library
Conference Room
10:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Communication & Branding Strategies Workshop
Head and Heart Philanthropy
Linda Rogharr, President
White River Press
11:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Faith & Philanthropy
Aimee A. Laramore, Associate Director
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
12:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Harlem Fine Arts Show Experience-Gymnasium
5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Investors Roundtable
Lauren Walters, CEO
Two Degrees Food
Adaora Udoji, Founder
The Boshia Group
6:30 PM-7:00 PM
Break
7:00 PM –8:00 PM
Reception (MV Performing Arts Center)
8:00 PM- 10:00 PM
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
featuring Anita Hill
Unsilenced-The Anita Hill Story
Friday, August 9, 2013
Harbor View Hotel & Conference Center
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Coffee/Registration
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Opening Remarks
9:15 AM - 10:30 AM
The New Face of Philanthropy
“Sustainable Solutions”
Head and Heart Philanthropy
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Public, Media and Philanthropy
Kelly Brinkley, COO
United Way of the National Capitol Area
Karen Avery, Director
PBS Foundation
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Break & Networking
12:30 PM- 1:30 PM
Luncheon
“The Corporate Response to Social Issues”
Charisse R. Lillie
Vice President, Community Investment, Comcast
Corporation
President, Comcast Foundation
Opening Remarks
History of the Vineyard
Alex R. Picou, Managing Director
J P Morgan
Introduction of Speaker
Kelly Brinkley, COO
United Way of the National Capital
Area
Keynote Presentation
Charisse R. Lillie, Vice President,
Comcast Corporation,
President, Comcast Foundation
Special Presentation
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Break
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
“The Model of Sustainability and Impact”
W K Kellogg Foundation
LaJune Montgomery Tabron
Executive Vice President & Treasurer
3:00 PM- 4:15 PM
“Philanthropy and the Arts”
Anna Barber, Esq., Major Gifts Officer
National Museum of African American History and
Culture-Smithsonian
Debra Vanderberg Spencer
Curator and Art Historian
Shannon King Nash, Producer
Shannon Nash Enterprises, LLC
4:15 PM- 5:00 PM
Cohort/Committee Cluster
5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Reception-Meet the HFAS Artists
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Harbor View Hotel & Conference Center
8:30 AM-9:00 AM
Registration
9:00 AM- 9:45 AM
Coffee & Conversation
Darryl Lester
African American Cultural Center
North Carolina State University
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Intersection of Public Policy, Media/Technology
and Philanthropy
Rashad Robinson, Executive Director
Color of Change
Schnavia Smith Hatcher, PhD, Director
UT Arlington Center for African American Studies
Aimee Laramore, Associate Director
Lake Institute on Faith and Giving
Sheila Smith McKoy, Director
African American Cultural Center
North Carolina State University
Cohort III
&
Speakers
Tracey Allison
Tracey Allison is an experienced executive with a unique background combining law,
project management, event operations and community outreach skills with experience
in the legal, non-profit, events, sports and music sectors.
Tracey is currently developing an e-commerce business designed to empower and
encourage a consciousness and lifestyle of sustainability and wellness through the
sharing of knowledge and the gifting of products.
Previously, Tracey was Vice President of Community Outreach and Executive
Administration for the Orange Bowl Committee (OBC). In the Community Outreach
role, Tracey oversaw the OBC’s Youth Sports and Community Relations Department.
She supervised the planning and activities of the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance,
a nine league youth football and cheerleading alliance with over 16,000 youth
participants. Additionally, Tracey was the project leader of the $5.7 million Orange
Bowl Field at Moore Park, a community project initiated by the OBC as a legacy gift to
the community to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Orange Bowl.
As Vice President of Executive Administration, Tracey developed and managed key
events for college football’s leaders and key stakeholders as well as OBC committee
members during Bowl Week and throughout the year. Tracey also assisted executive
management with long-term strategic analysis and feasibility of potential new events
and projects, planning and strategy of the double-hosting model for the Orange Bowl
and the BCS National Championship Game, and provided strategic vision, planning,
oversight and implementation of Special Guest Program for the 2009 BCS National
Championship Game.
Additionally Tracey served in a Business & Legal Affairs role with the OBC, reviewing
and negotiating a variety of contracts.
Prior to joining the Orange Bowl Committee, Tracey was the COO of Refugee
Enterprises, where she was responsible for the development of business opportunities
and management of operations for all of the non-music related ventures for musical
artist Wycef Jean. She also was the Interim Executive Director of the Wyclef Jean
Foundation.
Tracey began her career as a corporate attorney with the New York City offices of
Thelen, Reid & Priest and Winston & Strawn and has experience in the areas of
contracts, mergers and acquisitions, securities, private placements and project finance.
Tracey received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A. in
English from Hampton University. A native of Atlanta, GA, she currently resides in
Miami, FL.
Walter August
Pastor Walter August, Jr. was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on January 28, 1959 and
grew up in Abbeville, La. Upon completing high school in 1977, he enlisted in the
United States Marine Corp where he faithfully served through 1983. In 1984, he joined
First City Bank Corporate Security Group and attended the Professional Management
Training School reaching the position of Security Specialist in 1991.
In 1992, Pastor August professed his calling into the gospel ministry under the
leadership of Dr. E.L. Lott, Senior Pastor of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in
Houston. He was employed by LaSalle Partners Asset Management Company and
served as their Director of Security through 1996.
In 1994, Pastor August organized and founded Bethel Family Baptist Church along with
his wife, three sons, and six committed adults. Today Bethel’s Family serves over 3,300
families, through 50 different ministries, with an annual church budget of over 3 Million
Dollars. In 1997, he accepted a call to Sugar Creek Baptist Church to serve as their
Pastor of Missions. In his 7 ½ years of service, he lead Sugar Creek through the help of
God to start 58 churches and partnered with 50 more in the greater metropolitan area of
Houston.
Pastor August has traveled to Kenya, Africa and Czech Republic, doing evangelism
training, medical clinics, and developing church leadership teams. He attended
Southwestern Theological Seminary in Houston and received Honorary Doctorates of
Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian College in Jacksonville, Florida and Encourager
Bible College & Seminary in India. He is a board member of the Baptist Church Loan
Corporation. In 2002, he co-founded the “College Institute for Church Planters” in
Baton Rouge, La.
In 2003, Pastor August started Bethel’s Heavenly Hands Food Pantry and Clothing
Center. Heavenly Hands is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has grown
tremendously over the years and now serves over 8,000 people in the community per
month.
In 2004, Pastor August came to Bethel’s Family full-time and the ministry flourished
under his leadership and faithfulness to God Almighty. In 2006, his care and concern
for families in the surrounding communities compelled him to create Bethel’s Place.
Bethel’s Place is a separate 501(c)3 Community Development and Empowerment Center
that serves over 500 people a week. In 2009, he launched the Young Men Development
Initiative, Inc; a separate 501(c)3 organization that mentors and develops young boys
ages 4-15. In August 2010, he opened the doors to Bethel’s Christian Academy offering a
viable faith-based learning environment to young families in the community for
teaching and developing their children.
Pastor August is married to the former Ms Ruby J. Jones and they have three sons:
(Walter III, who served in the Navy, is married with three kids and is currently the
executive director for the Young Men Development Initiative, Inc.; Patrick, a graduate
of Lamar University and recently married, and, Alex, who is a second year student at
Blinn College.
Karen Avery
Karen E. Avery joined PBS as Senior Director of Institutional Giving of the PBS
Foundation, in January 2011. In this role, she is responsible for generating new
opportunities for support from the foundation and corporate sectors for PBS priorities
and programs. Before PBS, she spent seven years as Director of Foundation Relations at
the Smithsonian Institution. During her tenure at the Smithsonian, she was selected as
a member of the inaugural class of the Smithsonian Leadership Development Program,
and also served as Chairperson of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Board of
Directors for three years. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Avery was Assistant Dean of
Harvard College and Director of the Ann Radcliffe Trust, a women’s initiative for
undergraduates. In this capacity, Avery created and oversaw a grants process for the
Trust, and worked to grow the Trust’s endowment. Preceding her work in the Dean’s
Office, she was a Senior Admissions Officer for Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, and
had been an Assistant Dean of Freshmen also at Harvard.
Avery received her M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a
concentration in administration, planning and social policy, and her A.B. from Harvard
in psychology and social relations. A native of Loudonville, New York, she currently
resides in Alexandria, VA with a husband, a daughter and son (13 and 10), and a crazy
dog.
Kyle D. Bacon
Kyle D. Bacon serves as the Mentor Program Coordinator for the U.S. Dream Academy
Learning Center in Southeast Washington D.C. Kyle supports the Dream Academy’s
mission of empowering children who are at risk of incarceration to maximize their
potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through
supportive mentoring and the use of technology. In his current role, Kyle builds and
manages relationships and layers of support for the young people the learning center
serves each afternoon by recruiting mentors and volunteers who pour into the lives of
the Dream Kids, as well as cultivating relationships with businesses, churches and other
key community stakeholders in our children’s futures.
Kyle is a proud alumnus of the School of Business at Howard University in
Washington, D.C. where he earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in
International Marketing. While at Howard, Kyle invested his time outside of the
classroom as a volunteer in the public schools and in leading efforts as the Community
Outreach Coordinator for the student government to mobilize the campus to make
impact in the lives of the surrounding community – especially the young people.
Part of his mission and purpose is to help transform the lives of young people, families
and communities through the education and the development of our most underserved
and under-supported youth. It is a passion that was modeled by his own family and a
gift he received as a child of a longtime community leader and dedicated educator.
After graduating from Howard, Bacon channeled this interest as an independent
academic resource worker and intervention specialist as he worked with students in
public and independent schools. Many struggled academically, but nearly all had a
personal struggle. He found by showing genuine interest in their success, their
confidence began to build. Kyle developed strategies to create change through direct
instruction and compassionate intervention, and saw many who had been failing come
to achieve proficiency. These same strategies worked for enrichment and educational
programs he developed for youth in Ohio and in challenged communities across the
country that had fallen to the fringes through the penal system.
In addition to youth development, Kyle is active in community and philanthropic work
with Capital Cause – a nonprofit organization that enables young philanthropists to
maximize their financial and skills-based contributions through collective giving.
Among his service efforts with his fellow young philanthropists, Bacon applied his
skillsets in the “Yes We Can: End Illiteracy” service initiative where literacy murals
were painted, classroom libraries were organized, and 2,000 books were given to 2,000
young people in Ward 8 of Washington, D.C. where 70% of children can not read
proficiently. Inside the donated books, Kyle shared a brief inscription of his favorite
books that his parents had him read when he was the students’ age to help encourage
their own reading. For his body of collective work, Kyle was selected as a nominee for
the Capital Cause Changemaker of the Year.
Kyle desires to live his life in such a way that inspires others to live their lives with
purpose, on purpose - by trusting God, living by faith, and operating in the gifts and
passions given them. Through his church relationships, Kyle is connected to a dynamic
men’s life enrichment group. He is a member of Discipleship Group #21 at Alfred Street
Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia where he has become active in the Missions
Ministry. Through their equipping and encouragement, Bacon was led to serve in the
mission field abroad as part of an Environmental Health Team for the students of
Outreach360 in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. While there, he helped create the
framework of what will be their first ever “Dare to Dream” summer program where
volunteer teams from across the globe will come together and teach the 1st -4th grade
students at the Learning Centers in Monte Cristi, DR and Jinotega, Nicaragua the values
and skills they need to be successful in life and how they can make a significant impact
in their own communities.
In February 2013, Kyle was humbled and honored to have been recognized by the
White House as a “Champion of Change” for African American Youth in Education as
part of President Barack Obama’s “Winning the Future Across America” initiative.
Anna Barber
Anna Barber is a Major Gift Officer in the Office of Advancement at the Smithsonian
Institution and has served in that capacity since June 2009. In her current position,
Barber is responsible for the development of a regional major gift program in California
and Florida, with a specific focus on raising philanthropic dollars for the Smithsonian’s
new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Prior to her position with the Smithsonian, Barber was the Director of Major Gifts for
Michigan State University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She contributed to
the completion of a $110 million capital campaign for the athletics department that was
part of a larger $1.2 billion university-wide campaign. Specifically, Barber oversaw the
athletics department’s endowment and planned giving programs and the led the
fundraising team for the renovation of the University’s baseball, softball and soccer
complex.
Prior to working at MSU, Barber served as the Assistant Director of Development at
Miami University in Ohio where she participated in launching the athletics
department’s $30 million capital campaign, part of a university-wide $350 million
campaign.
Barber earned a Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University in 2002 and a B.S. in
Political Science from Howard University. She has served as a speaker and panelist at
both athletics and development conferences and has published articles on the field of
athletics development.
Kelly Brinkley
Kelly V. Brinkley is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the United Way of the
National Capital Area. In this role, she is responsible for providing leadership and
overall management direction concerning a wide range of organizational activities.
Prior to United Way NCA, Kelly served as the COO for the D.C. Office of the State
Superintendent of Education where she was responsible for student transportation,
procurement, human resources and operations.
Kelly previously served on the transition team for the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch
merger and in Capital Markets Structured Finance where she focused on mortgage
finance and derivatives. Her mortgage finance experience also includes positions at
Fannie Mae and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. In addition, she
practiced corporate law at Saul Ewing, LLP.
Kelly’s political experience includes serving as the Federal Affairs Director for Mayor
Bill Campbell in Atlanta, and as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman John Lewis
and for the Committee on the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kelly received her B.A. in Economics from Spelman College and a Master’s of Public
Policy from the University of Maryland. She received her law degree from American
University.
She currently serves on the board of the Women’s Bar Association Foundation.
Kelly grew up in Ellicott City, Maryland. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. with
her husband Quince Brinkley, two sons, Colby and Noah, and a Harrier Hound named
Bounce. She is an avid runner and enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and
swimming.
Dion Clarke
Dion Clarke, a native of New York City, received a bachelor of arts in communications
from Gannon University. Dion is presently the CEO and president of JWD Enterprises,
Inc., a diversity marketing company, based in New York, that he founded in 2003. He is
also the founder of African American Theater Night (a subsidiary of JWD Enterprises),
a traveling educational and theatrical production for schools, civic and social
organizations that highlights multicultural history and relationships in American
society.
Gizelle Clemens
Gizelle Clemens is currently in the MPA degree program at Rutgers University with a
concentration in Leadership of Public Organizations. She is also the recipient of the
2012 Congressman Donald Payne Sr. Education Opportunity Scholarship and the 2013
Whicker Memorial Scholarship. She is a graduate research assistant of Dr. Kyle
Farmbry, Associate Dean, Graduate School-Newark. Ms. Clemens has assisted with
editing and research for his recently published book, Crisis, Disaster, and Risk:
Institutional Response and Emergence. Interested in community development, Ms.
Clemens believes that there needs to be more collaboration amongst the public, private,
and nonprofit sectors. With a focus on urban communities, she is researching the
impact of strategic philanthropy and public-private partnerships and the impact of the
growth of charter schools on different communities.
Prior to returning to school to attain her degrees, Ms. Clemens worked for notable
institutions such as New Jersey SEEDS, New Jersey Citizen Action, A Better Chance,
and Literacy Partners as a nonprofit professional for over six years in programming,
fundraising, and development. Additionally, while completing her degree Ms. Clemens
has recently interned with Arts to Grow, an arts educational nonprofit and the
Philanthropy Group at Toyota Motor North America.
Ms. Clemens has been an active participant of the Alumni Advisory Council of New
Jersey SEEDS for over ten years. New Jersey SEEDS afforded her the opportunity to
attend Miss Porter’s School, where she has served as Class Representative and Co-Chair
of Class Reunions supporting the Annual Fund and encouraging her fellow alumni to
do the same. As a young philanthropist, she has raised and donated over $10,000 and
volunteered countless hours for New Jersey SEEDS, Miss Porter’s School, and other
worthy organizations over the years.
Lybra S. Clemons
Lybra S. Clemons is a seasoned executive with more than twelve years of professional
experience managing a wide range of cross-cultural projects and strategic plans. She
has an extensive background in creating and implementing results-driven strategic
direction for entities such as foundations, corporations, nonprofits, and government
organizations.
Formally, Lybra was an Associate with the Brunswick Group – a global corporate
communications firm – where she was hired to round out a new sector of the firm that
focused on Diversity, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Public/Private partnerships.
Her responsibilities ranged from managing and advising clients on several projects to
advising on building, structuring, and communicating critical policies and practices.
Prior to the Brunswick Group, Lybra was the Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion
at American Express. With a global role and oversight, Lybra provided strategic
direction under the guidance of the Chief Diversity Officer and was extremely
successful in developing and launching American Express’ refreshed diversity strategy
with measurable results that tied to the business.
Lybra has served as a consultant for several organizations in the areas of corporate
philanthropy, diversity, fundraising, and strategic direction. She has also held
leadership positions at major nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society and the
National Council for Research on Women. At both organizations, Lybra was
responsible for creating and managing strategic corporate partnerships that were
diverse, innovative, and practical.
Globally, Lybra spent time in Nicaragua managing the One Laptop per Child program.
She was also a featured speaker at the Diversity Best Practice Conference: “Marketplace,
Talent, Culture & Worklife” in Johannesburg, South Africa; a Delegate for The Leon H.
Sullivan Summit VII in Abuja, Nigeria; interned with the UN Women (formerly United
Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM) in Kenya; as well as attended an
international Spanish business program in Chile.
Lybra is an active member of the New York Women’s Foundation’s Corporate
Leadership Committee; a member of the Links, Incorporated; a member of the
Metropolitan Museum of Arts’ Multicultural Audience Development Initiative; a
member of the Council for Urban Professionals (CUP); an advisor to Border Crossers;
and was recognized by the Feminist Press as one of “40 Women Leaders Under 40”.
Lybra holds a BA in Political Science from Spelman College, a Master of Public
Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs,
and an Executive Management certificate from Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.
Ebonie Johnson Cooper
Ebonie is an enthusiastic leader whose professional expertise and vocational passion
have provided the framework for her near decade - long career. Ebonie is currently the
Director of Marketing and Communication for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater
Washington where she leads strategies to increase brand visibility and messaging,
donor engagement and social media engagement.
Prior to her role at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Ebonie led marketing,
communication, and branding campaigns for organizations that include: the Barack
Obama Campaign for Change, The Prospect Park Alliance, Greater Centennial AME
Zion Church, MTV and BET Networks. Ebonie began her career at Viacom, Inc. where
her dynamic marketing and branding initiatives would eventually introduce BET
Networks to the country of Japan in 2007 and launch the entire network in the United
Kingdom in 2008.
As a thought-leader for African American millennial philanthropy, Ebonie uses her
passion for giving to serve as a bridge connecting civically engaged black millennials
with public sector resources. Through her for - profit social impact organization,
Friends of Ebonie, Ebonie connects with young black professionals by raising social
awareness, developing educational resources and facilitating events related to
strengthening and defining young philanthropy. Her leadership as a millennial leader
and the work of Friends of Ebonie has been featured in The Washington Post,
Huffington Post Impact, Forbes and Policy Mic. Ebonie’s voice as a millennial leader
has also been heard on The Chelsea Krost Show, the B. Smith & Thank You Dan Show,
and WOL 1450 Jacquie & Karen. Ebonie was recognized by IMPACT - DC as the April
2013 Impact Leader of the Month. As a freelance writer, Ebonie muses on life,
relationships, religion and giving. She contributes regularly to EBONY.com. She is also
an energetic philanthropist and public speaker. She delivered the keynote address for
the 2013 Mobilize.org Millennial Leaders Summit.
In her civic leadership, Ebonie served as a vice-President for the Junior Board of New
York Cares, Inc. from 2009 - 2013. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc., Black Benefactors Giving Circle (DC), the National Black MBA
Association (NBMBAA), Black Women for Black Girls (NYC), the Alvin Ailey Young
Patrons Circle and the 1869 Society of the Corcoran Gallery (DC). She is also a
dedicated member of Reid Temple AME Church in Glen Dale, MD. Ebonie holds a
Masters of Science in Public Relations & Corporate Communication from New York
University and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University.
Reagan Flowers
Dr. Reagan Flowers began her education career as a high school science teacher, and has
since that experience remained dedicated to her calling as a leader in academia. During
her tenure at Jack Yates High School, Dr. Flowers enrolled a group of some of her
students in an annual national robotics competition. Those students, of mixed
performance levels on campus, had no prior robotics experience nor had they been
placed in such a competitive environment. Yet despite the initial feelings of
intimidation and self-doubt, the group went on to outperform anyone’s expectations.
Their performance in this competition while encouraging was also a very humbling
one, as Dr. Flowers for the first time experienced first-hand the stark reality of the vast
academic achievement gap between her students and their peers from other schools.
This experience caused her to take up the mission of closing the academic achievement
gap.
In 2002, Dr. Flowers founded CSTEM (Communication-Science-TechnologyEngineering-Mathematics) Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc., the first integrated
Pre K through 12th grade STEM enrichment program in the nation, in direct response to
some of her best and worst experiences as an educator: classroom science teacher,
guidance counselor, dean of students, and school improvement facilitator. Her years of
practice as an educator, coupled with her personal experiences as an academically
challenged adolescent led to the development of a theory she put into action through
her doctoral research.
The distinguishing factors of Dr. Flowers’ research model include: (1) integration of
communication (literacy) in STEM as a factor to ensuring student success in math and
science; (2) curriculum influenced by STEM industry professionals; (3) unique
framework of creating collaborative P-12 pipelines; (4) built-in supports with STEM
teacher training and supplemental workshops; (5) innovative STEM instructional tools
and resources provided to schools, and (6) competitive environments that support high
performance and accountability for both teachers and students. Utilizing this model, Dr.
Flowers has led the organization through unprecedented expansion of services and
revenue growth. Since founding CSTEM, the organization has grown from 20 students
working out of a janitor’s closet to impacting nearly 60,000 students, and its revenue
over the years has grown from $5k to over $5 Million. Dr. Flowers’ passion for STEM
education combined with her social entrepreneurial spirit, expertise in partnership
development, curriculum and program design, and project management have made her
the natural choice to lead in various realms of STEM education. In her books, The
CSTEM Challenge: A Feeder Pattern Approach to Reaching All Students through
Hands-on Project-based Learning and CSTEM Pedagogy: Your Guide to Project-Based
Learning, Dr. Flowers acknowledges the important role CSTEM has in education, its
impact in the community, and in closing the achievement gap.
Dr. Flowers has received numerous recognitions and awards including being named as
100 Women Leaders in STEM and featured in U.S. World News Report for her WISE
award nomination. Dr. Flowers continues to share her research, best practices and
perspectives on education through the publishing of articles and blogging. She sits on
numerous boards including the national board of American Leadership Forum and
serves as Vice Chairman of the Gulf Coast Chapter. Dr. Flowers links her success to
three things: education, compassion, and an iron will to make a difference. She holds a
Ph.D. from the Union Institute & University and received her B.S. and M.A. from
Historically Black University's—Texas Southern University and Prairie View A & M of
Texas. Dr. Flowers’ mantra is, “The world is my Platform….Empowering Teachers and
Students through STEM Education is my Mission.”
Albert Gladden
Albert R Gladden served as Vice President with Citigroup, where he was the leading
contributor of Citi’s Securities and Fund Services (SFS) franchise. Albert was charged
with ensuring the effective delivery and expansion of innovative solutions through a
multi-product platform, whose collective margin has grown more than 225% since 2008.
Albert led SFS’ initiative to penetrate the nearly $4 trillion public sector wallet. Prior to
this role, Albert developed and managed Citi’s rapidly growing "Custody for Fund of
Funds" solution, which is a middle office solution that provides trade order execution
and asset servicing to institutions seeking to invest into hedge funds. Committed to
being a well-rounded corporate citizen, Albert currently serves as the elected Treasurer
of the Executive Steering Committee of Citigroup’s African Heritage Network and has
won several awards for recruiting, diversity recruiting, and teamwork.
In his free time, Albert provides business management and growth strategy consulting
to small-businesses, film projects, start-ups and non-profit organizations. Current
consulting projects include Aflame in Dotage and CuriosiTeas. Aflame is to be the first
full length independent feature film that the extremely talented and HBO short film
award-winning director, Justin Staley, will direct in 2014. Aflame is a love story that
deals with the staying power a first love has over you emotionally and physically long
after the relationship has “officially” ended. CuriosiTeas is a unique small business that
unites Tea, Tourism and Fair-Trade consumerism. Albert received the Bronze
President's Volunteer Service Award in 2011 for being an active volunteer for several
non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity International where he built
two houses in Malawi, Africa last year. Additionally, Albert has served as Treasurer
and lead fundraiser for rising political candidates.
As a National Urban Fellow, Albert Gladden very recently earned his Masters of Public
Administration and completed his thesis on innovative finance into public water
infrastructure. Albert is also a graduate of Morehouse College, where he was a
Presidential Scholarship recipient and Computer Science Teaching Fellow. Albert is a
Council for Urban Professionals (CUP) Fellow, a Coro Leadership New York Fellow,
INROADs Scholar and a Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA Prep
Fellow.
Schnavia Smith Hatcher
Dr. Schnavia Smith Hatcher began as the inaugural director of the Center for African
American Studies at The University of Texas at Arlington in August 2012. Hatcher
moved to Texas after seven years with the University of Georgia School of Social Work
where she was an associate professor and former director of the undergraduate
program. Before Georgia, she served as an adjunct faculty member in the social work
and sociology departments of Bowie State University, Prince George’s Community
College, and the University of the District of Columbia. She has also worked as a
research associate for a private research firm in Maryland evaluating federally funded
grant programs.
Dr. Hatcher earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta.
She holds a master of social work degree from the University of Georgia and a doctoral
degree in social welfare from the University of Kansas. Hatcher has taught courses on
research and evaluation, policy analysis, crisis intervention and forensic social work.
She has published numerous articles and chapters on her research focusing on health
promotion strategies in underserved communities, particularly correctional settings,
and addressing mental health, substance abuse and HIV disparities. Her scholarship
also focuses on the issues of race, class, and social policy implications for African
Americans.
In addition to teaching and research, Hatcher is a licensed clinical social worker in
several states and has consulted with jail and juvenile justice facilities focusing on
community re-entry services for offenders with co-occurring disorders, drug court
program treatment curricula, jail suicide prevention protocol and implementing
continuous quality improvement program monitoring procedures.
As director of the UT Arlington Center for African American Studies, Hatcher has
shaped a vision and mission that cultivates an exceptional transdisciplinary experience
through teaching, civic engagement, and community-based research focused on the
diverse contextual conditions of African Americans. She leads infrastructure
development that will foster student, faculty, and community capacity to create
progressive solutions to social problems. CAAS is the only one of its kind in North
Texas (and one of three in the state) and the nation’s only center of African American
Studies rooted in both the Liberal Arts and Social Work. Hatcher is aiming to redefine
the modern model for studying the historical and contemporary issues of race and
cultural diversity.
Aimee Laramore
Aimée A. Laramore is a trusted consultant, effective strategist and premier teambuilder.
Currently serving as Associate Director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, she brings
over 15 years of executive non-profit leadership to the field of faith & philanthropy. She
has served successfully in leadership roles throughout a variety of mission driven
agencies across the country, in the health, human services and community development
fields. She has a passion for writing and has spent her career dedicated to systemic
change for non-profit capacity building. Passionate teaching and coaching of national
congregational teams has materialized in adaptive leadership and resource
development practices to foster a culture of generosity. The development of continuing
education initiatives has included curriculum development and training in generational
differences among donors & mechanisms to leverage technology. A graduate of
Purdue University, Aimée received her undergraduate degree in Organizational
Leadership and Supervision, in the School of Technology. In an effort to fuse innovative
organizational development approaches with established business practices, she
received her Master’s degree in Business Administration, in addition to completing
Community Organizing training from the Center on Third World Organizing, Oakland,
CA.
Prior to joining Lake Institute, she actively served the non-profit sector as owner/lead
consultant for ALlyd Image Solutions. Specializing in facilitation, strategic planning and
outcomes-based measurement, her work can be seen through more than 75 non-profit
agencies within the Midwest region. Dedicated to creating answers to the socioeconomic conditions of neighborhoods, Aimée also completed the Pratt Institute
Community Economic Development Internship program. Her most important
accomplishments include a successful marriage of 17 years and her greatest calling,
being a mother to Lydia, Noah and Andrew.
Ms. Laramore has focused expertise in organizational management, succession
planning, resource development, strategic planning and consensus building to advance
outcomes and fulfill organizational vision. She has also demonstrated an uncommon
ability to navigate diverse communities. A trained development specialist, fundraising
takes a backseat to internal capacity building and the pursuit of operational excellence.
Known as powerful, poised and results oriented, her career is dedicated to effective
operations and evaluation practices with documented success across sectors and
professional environments. Essential business principles, with entrepreneurial
innovation, include return on investment and business model analysis in the non-profit,
higher education and corporate sector. A woman of faith, you can see a common and
intentional thread that transcends all areas of personal and professional life for Aimée
A. Laramore.
Darryl K. Lester
Prior to joining NCSU, this social entrepreneur and community philanthropist, founded
HindSight Consulting in 2001 and the Community Investment Network in 2006 --- but
his passion for philanthropy was rooted during his early life in Marion, South Carolina.
While growing up on Strawberry Street in a tiny, rural community populated by
working families, Darryl witnessed the inherent giving nature among AfricanAmericans long before the jargon associated with community philanthropy arrived. The
tenets of racial uplifting and mutual aid were an organic way of life for those who
gathered together for rent parties, communal day-care and collecting resources for
family needs under the simple auspices of 'neighbors helping neighbors.
These concepts influenced Darryl to create a company, HindSight Consulting, Inc as an
entrepreneurial effort designed to promote and to encourage social innovation within
community and institutional philanthropy. The early focus of Hindsight’s work was to
build a collective giving movement among young African American adults in the New
South using a giving circle model. This movement was sparked when Darryl organized
the Next Generation of African American Philanthropists (NGAAP Fund) in Raleigh,
NC and the Birmingham Change Fund in Birmingham, Alabama in 2004. From 2004 to
the present, Darryl and HindSight has organized 13 giving circles that are members of
CIN.
He has been recognized by both Black Enterprise and Town & Country Magazines for
his work in philanthropy. He has contributed to several philanthropy journals and is
expanding his dialogue to incorporate the strategic giving models of Black-Greek and
civic organizations.
Darryl continues to conceptualize ways in which to encourage African-Americans to
understand their roles as philanthropists --- emphasizing their importance from a
'supply' side purpose as opposed to a traditionally perceived 'demand' function.
Prior to creating HindSight Consulting, Inc, Darryl served as the Director of
Community Leadership and Programs at the Triangle Community Foundation (NC)
and as Trustee of the Warner Foundation. He was also an Associate Counsel at Capital
Development Services and a Training Manager at N.C. Public Allies. He is well
acquainted with educational institutions, having served as an Assistant Dean at UNCChapel Hill, the Assistant Director of African American Student Affairs at North
Carolina State University and as a Counselor at Shaw University Counseling Center
(NC). In 2003, he traveled to Cape Town, South Africa as a participant in the Binational
Civil Society Forum.
Darryl is a graduate of both Wofford College (B.A., Economics) and North Carolina
State University (M.A., Psychology) and enjoys the brotherhood that he shares as a
member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Within the city of Raleigh, where he resides,
he is a Development Chair for Sassafras All Children's Playground, a project that is
working to provide a safe play environment for children with special needs.
Charisse R. Lillie
Charisse R. Lillie is Vice President of Community Investment of Comcast Corporation
and President of the Comcast Foundation. She joined Comcast in 2005 as Vice
President, Human Resources-Comcast Corporation, and Senior Vice-President, Human
Resources-Comcast Cable. She was a partner in the law firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews
& Ingersoll, LLP, in Philadelphia from January, 1992 to February, 2005. She was Chair
of the Litigation Department from 2002 to 2005, and was a member of the Employment
and Labor Law Group of the firm. Ms. Lillie’s law practice included the representation
of employers and management in a wide variety of labor and employment matters,
primarily in federal court. She served as an advisor to clients on diversity and anti
discrimination issues. She is a frequent lecturer and panelist regarding talent
management, recruitment and retention strategies, and diversity.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lillie’s legal experience included positions as Trial
Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Deputy Director,
Community Legal Services, Inc., Professor at Villanova Law School, Assistant United
States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, General Counsel to the
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia and City Solicitor of the City of
Philadelphia. In addition, Ms. Lillie has been a member of many civic commissions,
including the Independent Charter Commission, the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Task
Force, the MOVE Commission and the Philadelphia Election Reform Task Force. She is
a member of the Forum of Executive Women, and is the former president of the Board
of the Juvenile Law Center. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard
University, NBCUniversal Foundation, The Franklin Institute, the Board of Directors of
the American Arbitration Association, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and
Industry, and the Board of Governors of the Pyramid Club. She served as a Trustee of
Friends Select School from 1994 to 2002, and 2003 to 2006, serving as President of the
Board of Trustees for two years. She was elected to membership in The Executive
Leadership Council in 2008.
Ms. Lillie is the recipient of numerous honors. A partial listing is attached. Ms. Lillie
has been recognized as a trailblazer because of the many firsts in her career. She was
the first African American female to serve as City Solicitor (City Attorney) of the City of
Philadelphia, the first African American to serve as the Chair of the Litigation
Department at Ballard, Spahr, LLP, the first African American female to serve as
Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the first African
American female to chair the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association
and the first African American female to serve as Chair of the American Bar Association
Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity.
Ms. Lillie is a former President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Federal Bar
Association. She served on the Board of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental
Cooperation Authority (PICA) from 1993 to 1998. She served as chair of the Board of
Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 1995. She served as Chair of the
American Bar Association Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession
(formerly the Commission on Minorities) from 1999 to 2002 and is a former member of
the ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary. She is Former Chair of the Racial
Bias in the Justice System Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association. She also
served on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in
the Justice System. She currently serves as the Chair of the City of Philadelphia Board
of Ethics. She was elected to the American Law Institute in 1995. Ms. Lillie was
included in both editions of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Philadelphia” in
1999 and 1994, The Legal Intelligencer’s “Fifty Most Influential Women in the Legal
Profession in Pennsylvania” in 2001, The Philadelphia Tribune’s Philadelphia’s Most
Influential African Americans (from 2002 to 2012), in the Philadelphia Magazine’s
“2004, 2005 and 2006 Super Lawyer” editions and the 2006 editions of Who’s Who of
American Women and Who’s Who in the World. She was inducted as a Fellow of the
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in 2003. She is listed in the 2004 Chambers
USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In 2004, she was inducted by Governor
Edward Rendell and Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell into The Distinguished Daughters
of Pennsylvania. In 2006, she was listed as one of Philadelphia’s 101 Connectors by
Leadership Inc., and was named by CableWORLD as one of the Top 50 Minorities in the
Cable Industry as well as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Cable. She
served as Co-Chair of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 NAMIC Annual Leadership Conference.
In 2011, she was selected for the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent
Women Lawyers.
Ms. Lillie served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of
Philadelphia and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Conference of
Chairmen of the Federal Reserve System from January 2001 until December 2002, and
she served as a Board member for seven years. She is a member of the Board of
Directors of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. She is also a member of the
Advisory Board of The PNC Financial Services Group, Philadelphia/Southern New
Jersey. She serves as a board member of Philadelphia Electric Company, an Exelon
Company.
The Houston, Texas native received her B.A. in 1973 from Wesleyan University - cum
laude; her J.D. in 1976 from Temple Law School - Dean’s Honor List; and her LL.M. in
1982 from Yale Law School. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from
Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA, in 2005. In 2011, she was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Peirce College in Philadelphia, PA. She worked
as a research assistant to the Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. from 1975 to 1976 on
his first book, In The Matter of Color. Ms. Lillie was law clerk to the Honorable Clifford
Scott Green, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1976-1978.
Ms. Lillie is the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2012 Temple University
Law Alumni Association Inaugural Diversity Leadership Award, a 2012 honor by
CableFAX: The Magazine as one of the top minorities and top women in cable, the 2011
Outstanding Recognition Award from the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress,
a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the 2011 United Way
Women’s Initiative Award, the 2010 League of Women Voters Civic Leadership award,
2009 Wiley A. Branton Award for the National Bar Association, 2008 Philadelphia
Tribune Top Philadelphia Leaders, 2007 Philadelphia Magazine Trailblazer Award, the
2007 Community Women’s Education Project Woman of Distinction Award, the 2007
Operation Understanding Distinguished Community Leadership Award, the 2007
WICT Greater Philadelphia Liberty Award, the 2007 NAMIC Philadelphia Paragon
Award, the 2005 Learned Hand Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American
Jewish Committee, the 2005 PWR Award from the Professional Women’s Roundtable,
the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Anne X. Alpern Award in the Spring of 2003 for her
excellence in the legal profession and her significant professional impact on women in
the law, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Awards of Excellence Honoree, 2002
Women of Distinction Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal, the J. Michael
Brown Award from the DuPont Minority Counsel Conference, the Penn Towne Links
Service Award, the 2002 Image Award from the Black Women in Sport Foundation, the
Take the Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Women of
Achievement Award from The Barristers’ Association and the Teenshop Board of
Directors Hall of Fame Award. She was named Mother of the Year by the Mary Mason
Community Foundation in 2002. She has been selected as one of the Philadelphia
NAACP 2013 -104 Influential Black in Philadelphia. She also received The Shero Award
celebrating the accomplishments of the Five Women of Distinction from the African
American Museum in Philadelphia. She also received the Legal Intelligencer’s Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2012.
Julie Marlette
Julie Marlette is the executive director of NYCAN: The New York Campaign for
Achievement Now, an education advocacy and policy research nonprofit working to
improve state policy so that every New York child has access to a great public school.
With 17 years of experience in the legislature and a master’s degree in political
communications, Julie is recognized across the state as an expert in education policy
and the complex landscape of New York politics.
A proud Empire State native, Julie has lived everywhere from her rural, Central New
York hometown to the state capital of Albany to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She
launched her career in Albany—in the New York State Senate Office of Minority
Conference Services—with a focus on communications and presswork.
In the nearly two decades to follow, Julie filled a number of high-impact roles in the
legislature, first working as legislative director and committee clerk for
Assemblymember Susan John, then researching and drafting legislation for the Office of
Program and Counsel, and eventually serving as a senior analyst on elementary and
secondary education in the New York State Senate, where she was a key driver behind
all the major education legislation debated by the senate.
Julie also served as the government relations representative for the New York State
School Boards Association, where she was right in the middle of some of the toughest
fights in the state: labor relations, pensions, property taxes and special education.
Eventually Julie was lured to New York City to become the managing director for state
funding at Teach for America, where she was responsible for TFA's overall state
appropriations strategy across 34 states.
Julie brought her belief in great public schools and her deep well of policy knowledge to
50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now in September 2011, where she
took the lead on fine-tuning political strategies and government relations in six states—
including New York. Her work supported eight policy wins over two years. Julie also
took on the role of founding executive director of 50CAN’s affiliate C4 organization, the
50CAN Action Fund, running nine independent expenditure campaigns in two states in
the pilot year.
In the spring of 2013, Julie returned to her roots and became the executive director of
NYCAN. In this role, she gets to use the skills that she’s been applying across all the
CAN states to her home state.
Sheila Smith McKoy
Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy, a native of Raleigh, NC, is the director of the African American
Cultural Center and of the Africana Studies Program at North Carolina State
University. Smith McKoy holds a BA from North Carolina State University, an MA
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Dr. Smith McKoy is the first African American to receive a PhD from Duke’s
Department of English. A poet, a literary critic, and a fiction writer, Smith McKoy’s
work has appeared in numerous publications including the critically acclaimed
Schomburg series African American Women Writers 1910 – 1940, Callaloo, Contours,
Journal of Ethnic American Literature, Mythium, Obsidian: Literature in the African
Diaspora, Research for African Literatures, and Valley Voices. Her book, When Whites
Riot: Writing Race and Violence in American and South African Cultures (U of
Wisconsin Press, 2001) received critical attention in the U.S. and in South Africa.
Dr. Smith McKoy is the director of the African American Cultural Center and the
Africana Studies Program at North Carolina State University. She is also an associate
professor of English and Africana Studies, Director of the Africana Studies Program,
and the editor of Obsidian: Literature in the African Diaspora. As a professor of
Literature and Africana Studies, Dr. Smith McKoy focuses on the relationships between
Africa and African diaspora counties and cultures. She teaches African American,
African, Afro-Caribbean and other African descent literatures. Her work also focuses
on indigenous knowledge, especially as it relates to issues related to health and healing
rituals. Healing and teaching others how to heal are also integral aspects of her life.
She has worked with healing communities in the U.S., Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and
Brazil.
Dr. Smith McKoy is the co-chair of the North Carolina Community AIDS Fund, a
member of the board of Maama Watali, a non-governmental agency focused on
improving health care, educational and social outcomes in a post-conflict region of
Uganda, and a member of the North Carolina Chapter of United Nations Women. She
is also a founding member of Deployment Home, an initiative focused on veterans
rights and opportunities.
Samaia Muhammad
Samaia joined Advancement Project as Major Gifts Officer in May of 2012. In this role
she focuses on building relationships as well as engaging current and prospective
supporters. This work supports and promotes the vital efforts of Advancement Project
programs. Her experience in non-profit fundraising includes time with the William J.
Clinton Foundation and Women’s Campaign Fund. She has also served as a corporate
conference planner for large entities such as Verizon Wireless and the National Society
of Black Engineers. Samaia further displays her commitment to racial and social justice
through service as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Frances Naiga
Frances Naiga Muwonge, Esq. has an undergraduate degree from Duke University
(1997) majoring in Comparative Area Studies before completing her J.D. from
Washington University in St. Louis (2000) and admission to the New York State Bar.
Frances has thirteen years working in Africa specific democracy and governance related
work ranging from the programmatic to the policy oriented. She spent almost six years
as a Political Officer for the UN in Liberia, and as a Program Officer for Africa in the
NGO sector. Frances currently undertakes international development projects via FNM
Consulting, LLC.
Major focuses include-political analysis, electoral legislation/reform, political party
strengthening, decentralization, constitutional reform,public opinion polling, policy
formation, civic engagement in the political decision-making process,gender inclusion,
local government strengthening and advocacy.
Frances has a solid professional background in conducting comprehensive
political/governance assessments,program development, management, oversight,
accounting and facilitating capacity building for various stakeholders. Superior and
varied written expression in drafting of policy papers, proposals, concept papers and
research or analytical documentsfor donors as well as international policy makers, most
extensively with the United Nations and USAID.
Frances' Professional development seeks to utilize her unique and varied skill set in a
manner that incorporates private sector efficiency, deliverability and market relevance
with her keen understanding of the political fibers that underlie all international
development efforts.
Shannon Nash
Shannon Nash is a Producer, Attorney, CPA, Business Manager, Author and
Entrepreneur. She recently produced the feature film, Switching Lanes, starring, Terri J.
Vaughn, Fred Hammond, Kim Fields, Kenny Lattimore, Angie Stone, Wess Morgan,
Marla Maples, Michael Lerner and directed by Tommy Ford (release date spring 2014).
She also produced the award winning short documentary on autism, Colored My Mind,
staring Blair Underwood, Nicole Ari Parker and Tisha Campbell Martin. CMM is the
winner of the 2012 BronzeLens Film Festival and the 2013 Best Short Documentary at
the American Pavilion in Cannes.
Her production credits include: Pariah (2011), A Cross To Bear (2011), Versailles '73:
American Runway Revolution (2012), The Rickey Smiley Show (TV Show, TVOne, 2012,
2013), In The Meantime (2013). She is currently producing the US tour of the play da’
Kink in My Hair, a 4 time NAACP Image Award winner, debuting in Atlanta fall of
2013 and starring Melanie Fionna, Terri J. Vaughn and Angie Stone.
She is a sought after finance and legal expert with almost twenty years of providing
sound business advice to clients. Shannon started her legal and finance career as a
venture fund and tax lawyer for the law firm of Cooley LLP and as a tax and nonprofit
attorney for the law firm of K&L Gates LLP. She was also a Senior Attorney with
Amgen (the world’s largest biotechnology company) in Thousand Oaks, CA and
Lucerne, Switzerland and counsel for the Amgen Foundation.
She is currently president of the Nash Management Group, Inc., a business
management company providing COO and CFO services, including: Business Affairs,
Contracting, Tax Planning and Analysis; Accounting; Bookkeeping; and Operations
Management. Client base includes: producers and production companies, feature film
and television writers, directors, actors, sports and entertainment talent and nonprofits.
Past and current clients include: Terri J. Vaughn, Jasmine Guy, Doc Shaw, Tommy Ford,
Debbie Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Chaka Khan, Kenny Lattimore, Pierre Garcon, and
Ne-yo.
Shannon is also co-owner of The Green Room (TGR) along with actress Terri J. Vaughn
(Steve Harvey Show, Meet the Browns) and Roger Bobb (President of Bobbcat Films
and former EVP Tyler Perry Studios). TGR is a theatrical bookstore and coffee/tea
lounge and a cross between what you would find in LA and NY geared toward the
entertainment community.
She believes in helping others with financial empowerment and is the author of the
award-winning book For the Love of Money: The 411 to Taking Control of Your Taxes
and Building Your Net Worth. She also wrote the Vault Guide to Tax Law Careers,
Helping the Nonprofit Client, and The Tax Exempt Toolkit. She currently writes the
finance column for Autism File Magazine and is the online finance expert for the
American Heart Association's Power To End Stroke Campaign, where she answers
questions about dealing with the financial impact of a stoke
(www.powertoendstroke.org).
She's been featured as a tax, finance and legal expert in: The Chronicle of Philanthropy,
Woman's Day, Global Finance Magazine, Jet Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony
Magazine, LA Parent Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Bankrate.com, About.com.
Greatschools.org, ABC News Online and The Washington Times. She was also
featured on the cover of the April 2009 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine and served
as the finance/legal expert on episodes of Style Network's Modern Girls Guide, CNN’s
Newsroom with Carol Costello, and BET's The Center and My Black Is Beautiful.
Shannon is also a nonprofit expert and has served as the Executive Director of several
major nonprofit organizations including: The Debbie Allen Dance Academy and The
Carmelo Anthony Foundation. She's passionate about advocating for children with
special needs and is the former Secretary of Cure Autism Now (now Autism Speaks)
and the co-founder/President of Colored My Mind (CMM). CMM's mission is to
improve the lives of children and adults affected by Autism and educate the public
about Autism and related neurological disorders, particularly in the African American
and Latino communities. CMM was founded by actress Tisha Campbell-Martin, music
manager Tammy McCrary (Chaka Khan), educator Donna Hunter, attorney and
business manager Shannon Nash and LaDonna Hughley (DL Hughley's wife).
Shannon is the mother of three beautiful boys, including one with autism. She donates
her time and expertise to numerous organizations including Actors for Autism.
Shannon is on the Board of the Black Entertainment Sports Lawyers Association
(BESLA). She received her BS in Accounting from the University of Virginia McIntire
School of Commerce and her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. Her
website is www.nashgroup-usa.com and you can find her on Facebook at Tax Diva and
Twitter @shannonnash.
Rashad Robinson
Rashad Robinson serves as Executive Director of ColorOfChange, having joined the
organization in May 2011. For well over a decade, Robinson has helped to mobilize
communities across the country to create more inclusive cultural and political
institutions. A recognized expert on how popular culture impacts American attitudes
and values, he has served as a thought leader, widely sought-out speaker and strategist
on utilizing media to shift public opinion concerning progressive and civil rights issues.
He has appeared in hundreds of news stories, interviews, and political discussions
through outlets such as ABC, BET, CNN, MSNBC, OWN, The New York Times, Fast
Company, and NPR. In 2010 and 2011, Robinson was selected as one of "The Root 100,"
a list of emerging and influential African Americans under 45. He has previously held
leadership roles at GLAAD, the Right to Vote Campaign, and FairVote.
J. Sakiya Sandifer
J. Sakiya Sandifer is building the career of his dreams. His company, We Think LLC,
was launched in March 2006. His projects range from art direction, to idea
development, to speech writing, to most recently publishing.
Sakiya’s professional journey began while a student at the University of WisconsinMadison designing flyers for his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. After two years of college,
Sakiya returned to his hometown of Chicago and started his first company out of his
living room. His persistence paid off after frequenting Kinko’s after hours in hopes of
obtaining clients. The result was a steadily growing business for over a decade that
was created from the simple mantra: producing exceptional designs to attract loyal
clientele.
Fueled by an inextinguishable burning desire to continue to grow, Sakiya was
motivated to create a platform to express his ideas…which lead him to write his first
book, “Think Think Think and Think Again: The Power of Ideas Designed to Spark
Change.” The short book of “SAKIYA-ISMS” is a collection of his unique ideas
designed to be a spark for those seeking to create a positive change in their life.
In the short amount of time since its first publishing, Sakiya was able to build a loyal
fan-base, as well as use “Think Think Think and Think Again” as the foundation for the
curriculum of the 2006-2007 Youth Development Program in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Equipped with an acute ability of expressing seemingly complex concepts in a very
simple language, Sakiya also developed a speaking and workshop series entitled
“Thinking Like an Entrepreneur Changed My Life!”. TCML has been utilized by a
diverse number of aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as business entities as a vital tool for
generating sustainable initiatives in their personal and business lives.
In addition to attending various speaking dates and working on upcoming business
collaborations for We Think, LLC, Sakiya is currently promoting his third book entitled,
“A Book of Questions with One Answer”, the first book released since the hugely
popular, “Thank You and You’re Welcome”, which he co-authored along side Grammy
Award winning artist Kanye West in 2008.
What continues to surprise Sakiya the most about his success is the simplicity of his
breakthrough moments. “It always seems in hindsight that breakthrough moments are
always so simple,” explains Sakiya. In looking to the future, Sakiya seeks to empower
others with techniques of combining critical and creative thinking with one key idea:
Believe inward to become better!
MeShelle Foreman Shields
Innovative, Independent with Individuality are the words that best describe
MESHELLE "The Indie-Mom of Comedy". MESHELLE is a wife, mother, and sought
after comedienne whose appearances include: Nickelodeon's Search for the Funniest
Mom in America 3 (Hosted by Roseanne Barr), Martin Lawrence Presents: THE FIRST
AMENDMENT STAND UP (STARz), THE BLACKLIST: 20 Most Notable and
Notorious Moments of 2009 & 2010 (TV-ONE); BET News Presents; Obama: Journey to
the White House, as well as BET's Comic View, The WORD Network (Soulaughable
Comedy Series) (NBC, syndicated Documentary) Walk a Mile In My Shoes: 90 Year
Look at The NAACP MESHELLE pioneered the role of "Michelle" (portrayed by
Kimberly Elise in the film adaptation) in the hit Stage Play "Woman Thou Art Loosed"
written by TD Jakes and Terry McFadden.
A graduate of Bowie State University and a former Temple University Doctoral level
student; MESHELLE opted for an extended leave-of-absence after 3 years of
matriculation in the Department of School Psychology to pursue her comedic career.
MESHELLE is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and an Open Society
Institute Community Fellow(2010-2012). As a Fellow of this noted Social Justice
Organization funding programing/initiatives in 57 international countries and the
United States founded by George Soros; MESHELLE will implement GoalDIGGERS:
The Sankofa Project www.goaldiggers.us , introducing 15 African American girls from
Baltimore City; to the study of their ancestry, heritage and lineage utilizing
Anthropology, technology and DNA testing with a culminating voyage to Ghana, West
Africa. Promoting a positive self concept and assured ethnic identity is the key for their
college acceptance.
As an advocate for girls and women; MESHELLE’s inaugural literary offering "101
Things Every Girl/Young Woman of Color Should Know" (Duafe Press, 2010) is
available exclusively at www.saveourgirls.com . The curriculum (The Power of
Knowing) based on the reading has been implemented in school and private sector
programs. MESHELLE is a Contributing Editor for Heart&Soul Magazine and has also
written for The UTNE Reader and URBANITE Magazine; and is Host of the Award
Winning Educational Series "Sex Smart for Teens" - www.injoyvideos.com.
MESHELLE returned to her Musical theater roots as the “Mayor of Dingburg”
(Baltimore Theater Project;) during the 2 week production of “Zippy the Pinhead: The
Musical “an original adaptation of the internationally award winning syndicated comic
strip written by Bill Griffith appearing in 200 newspapers weekly. An Award winning
Playwright, MESHELLE's : Diary Of A MILF (Mom I'd Love To FOLLOW) solo show
has been produced across the country and I WINNER, Favorite Overall Theatrical
Experience (2012) of the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival amid 40 Productions and a
number of staged readings and WINNER, Audience Choice Award (2013) DC Black
Theatre Festival amid 100 productions.
MESHELLE “The Indie-Mom of Comedy” is indeed…Funny on PURPOSE!
www.meshelle.net
Debra Vanderburg Spencer
Debra Vanderburg Spencer is an independent curator and art historian residing in New
York City. A seasoned arts management professional she also provides consulting
services to nonprofit art institutions and foundations, and consults with private
collectors on acquisitions, management and care of collections.
Currently, she is Art Consultant for New York University’s Faculty Resource Center in
connection with the traveling exhibition, Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at
Talladega College. Spencer is Guest Curator for The Galleries at the Interchurch Center,
and organizes exhibitions at the William J. Clinton Foundation. Recently she was
Exhibitions Manager for The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and
Director of Special Projects for the New York State Council on the Arts. She has also
provided consulting services to the Harlem Arts Alliance.
Among her most recent exhibitions are art of the 5: a shout out from the Bronx and art
of the 5: Queens represents, the first two in a series of five annual exhibitions of
borough-specific artists for The Galleries at The Interchurch Center (2012-2016), NYC;
Makush: A Celebration of Contemporary Ethiopian Art, The Paley Center for Media,
NYC, and Revisiting American Art: Works from the Collections of Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, The Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah, NY (catalogue and
New York Times review).
She has consulted for the United States Congress, The President’s Committee on the
Arts and the Humanities, The National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State
Council on the Arts and The Florida Foundation for the Humanities. Spencer has held
curatorial positions at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the
Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Boston and the Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston.
Spencer is the recipient of two Fellowships in Arts Management from The National
Endowment for the Arts. She is a member of the American Association of Museums,
International Council on Museums, Harvardwood NY Chapter and the Black Ivy
Alumni League NY Chapter.
Spencer received her Master’s Degree from Harvard University Graduate School of
Education, with adjunct studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Film); The
Museum of Fine Arts School, Boston (Drawing and Painting); Harvard University
Extension Studies (Art History) and Western Michigan University (Art History).
LaJune Montgomery Tabron
La June Montgomery Tabron is chief operating officer and treasurer of the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.
As part of the executive staff, she leads the Foundation’s operations for the Office of the
President. She also manages the organization’s overall financial plans and policies along
with its accounting practices and the conduct of its relationship with financial
institutions and the financial community, as well as coordinating the planning, review,
and human and financial resources of the accounting/finance area. She provides
direction for treasury, budgeting, accounting, audit, finance, human resources,
technology and organizational services.
Previously, La June worked as the Foundation’s senior vice president/CFO and
treasurer, vice president – finance and treasurer, assistant vice president for finance and
assistant treasurer, as well as the Foundation’s controller, and had primary
responsibility for the organization’s financial accounting activities.
Before joining the Foundation’s staff in 1987, she was senior auditor for Plante & Moran
CPAs.
She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a master's degree in business administration from the
Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston,
Illinois. She is a certified public accountant and a certified management accountant,
licensed in the state of Michigan.
La June is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Management
Accountants, and the Foundation Financial Officers Group. In addition, she serves as a
member of the Kalamazoo Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and on the boards of the
Western Michigan University Foundation, the Douglass Community Association, and
Battle Creek Community Health Partners. La June also serves on the Kalamazoo
Retirement Investment Committee, Battle Creek Community Foundation Audit
Committee, Southwest Michigan First and Bronson Healthcare Group. She has also
served on the Council on Foundations’ Public Policy Committee and the Independent
Sector Board Development Committee.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, established in 1930, supports children, families and
communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to
achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.
Grants are concentrated in the United States, southern Africa, Latin America and the
Caribbean.
Steven J. Toll
“Steve is the Co-Founder and Treasurer of Lolly’s Locks (www.lollyslocks.org), a charity
started in the summer of 2012 in honor of, and in tribute to, Steve’s wife Lolly (pictured above
with Steve), who passed away from cancer in March 2012. Steve and Lolly’s family founded
Lolly’s Locks to carry out the mission of connecting high-quality wigs with cancer patients who
lose their hair from the side effects of chemotherapy, and could not otherwise afford to
purchase such wigs. Lolly had purchased two wigs when she lost her hair and they made her
feel as close to herself and as normal as possible during her treatment. They helped her continue
to make beautiful memories with those she loved. She was, however, stunned to learn how
expensive high-quality wigs cost, with human hair wigs typically ranging from $1,500 to $3,000
(or more). She often reflected on her ability to afford those wigs, and the many, and likely
majority of, women cancer patients who could not afford to purchase those wigs, which had
given Lolly such a great sense of dignity, normalcy and privacy during her time of treatment.
She felt it was very important to use her time and resources to help less fortunate women
battling cancer have access to the same high-quality wigs that she did, which led to the
formation by Steve and Lolly’s family to form Lolly’s Locks.”
Mr. Toll has been Managing Partner of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, one of the leading
plaintiffs’ class action law firms in the country, since 1997. LawDragon named him as one of the
500 Leading Lawyers in America for multiple years as well as one of the 100 Lawyers You Need
To Know in Securities Litigation in 2008. In 2010, he was named to Law360′s “Most Admired
Attorneys” and in 2012, he was selected as “Leading Plaintiffs’ Star in the District of Columbia”
by Benchmark: Litigation, the Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys. Mr.
Toll is an Honors Graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsyvania (B.S.
Accounting, cum laude, 1972), and from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1975).
For many years Mr. Toll has donated money to the Make A Wish Foundation, in order to grant
children with very serious illnesses one last wish. He also established The Amanda Toll
Educational Fund at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Washington D.C. and established
an endowment at Children’s Hospital in memory of his daughter Amanda, which provides
extensive training and educational benefits, lectures by world renown experts, and other
assistance to doctors and nurses dealing with childhood cancer.
Reverend Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman
The Reverend Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman is Director of the Office of Black Church Studies and
Assistant Research Professor of Black Church Studies at Duke University. She has taught
theology and ethics at Hood Theological Seminary (2012-13) and Union Theological Seminary in
the City of New York (2010-12).
Dr. Turman earned the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (Phi Sigma Tau) from
Fordham University, Lincoln Center, NYC in May 2002. Dr. Turman immediately pursued
graduate study at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and The Institute for
Research in African American Studies, Columbia University School of Continuing Education.
She was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree in Social Ethics (2005), the Master of
Philosophy Degree in African American Religion & Social Ethics (2008), and the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New
York. Her forthcoming book is entitled Toward a Womanist Ethic of Incarnation: Black Bodies,
the Black Church, and the Council of Chalcedon (Palgrave Macmillan). She is also currently
working on a manuscript entitled, Prophetic Disruptions: Sexual-Gender Discrimination and
the Black Church.
Dr. Turman is a member of a number of professional societies, including the American
Academy of Religion, the Society for Christian Ethics, and the Society for the Study of Black
Religion. She is the co-founder of the Society for Black Critical Thought & Empowerment, and
an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Turman is the youngest woman to be licensed and ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the
historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in the City of New York (2005 and 2007, respectively). In
2004, Dr. Turman began serving at Abyssinian as Intern Minister for Christian Education &
Youth under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. Shortly thereafter she joined the
ministerial staff as Assistant Minister for Youth and became the second and youngest woman to
preside over the ordinances in Abyssinian’s 204-year history. She served as the Assistant
Minister of the Abyssinian Baptist Church from 2004-2012. Dr. Turman is regularly called upon
to preach and teach from pulpits across the nation and world
Dr. Turman is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In March 2012, Dr. Turman was
featured in a segment entitled “The Gender Gap in Christian Leadership” on Odyssey
Networks. In 2011, she was also featured speaking about Christian marriage on a 2011 PBS
segment of “Need to Know.” Dr. Turman was awarded the 2010 Rebirth Renaissance Award by
the New York Urban League Young Professionals. In 2009, she was named one of The Network
Journal’s “40 Under Forty” for her outstanding leadership in the African American community.
She was also featured in EBONY Magazine’s April 2009 Issue as one among Young Leaders
under 30 Serving God and the community. Dr. Turman was also published (“Do You Have The
Fruit of the Spirit?”) in the Summer 2008 issue of The African American Pulpit’s “20 to Watch,”
honoring emerging ministers under 40. She was a 2009-10 Dissertation Fellow for The Fund for
Theological Education and was the recipient of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 North American
Doctoral Fellowships for The Fund, as well. Dr. Turman was awarded Union Theological
Seminary’s 5-year Howard Moody Fellowship that is given to the doctoral student who
demonstrates exceptional promise in the area of urban social justice. In 2007, she was honored
as a “Woman In Action” by the New York Club of the National Association of Negro Business
and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
Rev. Dr. Turman is a native New Yorker and currently resides in both Manhattan and Durham
with her husband, Rossie E. Turman, III, Esq. They are active in supporting non-profit and
philanthropic activities targeting the arts, women, education, and community development.
Adaora Udoji
Adaora founded The Boshia Group, a network of strategists, advisors, content developers, and
creators. The Group specializes in operational analysis, video content, developing narratives, as
well as editorial and production frameworks. Udoji is also a Pipeline Fund Fellow, an angel
investing boot-camp. She serves as a mentor for Women Innovate Mobile, a start up accelerator,
as well as advising several other startup companies.
Previously, she was a lawyer and an award-winning journalist. She served both as a broadcast
correspondent and co-host on television and public radio, including such outlets as ABC News,
CNN and WYNC. Most recently, she’s been a keynote speaker at Girls Who Code and The
Startup Institute, NYC.
Adaora is on the board of the Montclair Film Festival and is a member of the Board of Advisors
for Women at NBCU. She has served on the boards of The Council of Urban Professionals and
The New York Women in Communications Foundation.
She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a JD from the UCLA
School of Law.
Adaora lives in Montclair, New Jersey with her husband, young daughter, and two Norwich
Terriers.
Lauren Walters
Lauren Walters, a life-long political activist and entrepreneur, is co-founder and CEO of Two
Degrees Food. Together with his partner, Will Hauser, he is responsible for the development
and execution of the company’s business strategy, and for building the team of people who
together enable the connection between purchasers of Two Degrees bars in the United States
and hungry children in developing countries.
With career stops in politics, public service, business, and entrepreneurship, and all-the-while
grounded in the altruistic values of his physician parents, Lauren believes strongly in the power
of the right networks of individuals to do amazing things collectively. He passionately connects
ideas and people from different walks of life to create new opportunities and strategies to solve
real problems. Lauren’s networks for supporting Two Degrees Food span every element of his
professional career as a lawyer, entrepreneur, NGO leader, venture capital investor and
volunteer.
Having seen firsthand the problems and consequences associated with poverty, especially in the
lives of children, the idea that a new food company in the United States could leverage
everyday consumer buying decisions to change the lives of hungry children emerged as a viable
concept, and one that connected so many of Lauren’s important personal networks.
Lauren has served as a lawyer, investor, real estate developer, and strategic advisor. He is an
investor in early stage new media, technology and biotechnology companies. He is a former
board member of such early stage ventures as Time Trade Systems, Roxy.com and
Babyzone.com, and Wildcharge, Inc. In 1980, he began his investment and development
activities in commercial and residential real estate projects.
From 1988-91, Lauren served as Chief Operating Officer of Toll Road Corporation of Virginia,
overseeing construction and regulatory aspects of the development and project financing of
the nation’s first major private toll road. He was a staff member in the U.S. Senate and has been
a member and chairman of the Concord, Mass School Board. He is Chairman of the Board of the
Concord Consortium, a nonprofit working at the intersection of technology and education and
is a member of the Advisory Board for the Journal of Biolaw and Business.
Lauren is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, The London School of Economics and
Political Science and the Georgetown University Law Center. He was a Fulbright Professional
Scholar in Law and International Business in Korea and a Ford Foundation Fellow at the
Federal Executive Institute.
Jacqueline Washington, MD
Jacqueline M. Washington MD, founder of Save Our Hands and Atlanta Neuromuscular
Diagnostics, is a neurologist with subspecialty expertise and certification in neuromuscular
disease and clinical neurophysiology. She is an alumnae of The University of Michigan, Duke
University and served as a faculty of Emory University School of Medicine. She is a fellow
member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and American Association of
Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a neuromuscular problem, is the most common mononeuropathy in
the United States . Save Our Hands has a primary focus of increased awareness and
prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome through research, public service and educational
activities.
Tandelyn Weaver
Tandelyn Atkinson Weaver is the Executive Director for The Kingdom Builders’ Center,
Houston, TX. The KBC is a 501(c) (3) affiliated with Windsor Village United Methodist Church
under Pastor Kirbyjon H Caldwell. This 183,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art facility houses a Design
and Print Center, Book Store, Credit Union, a State Charter School, Entrepreneur Learning
Center, Church Administrative Staff and many multipurpose rooms for both internal ministries,
external community affairs and private events. She is responsible for 15 employees whose
primary goal is to provide Platinum Service for all guests.
Furthermore, Mrs. Weaver is a passionate enthusiast for Small Business and is the force behind
The KBC’s Entrepreneur Learning Center engaging entrepreneurs, resources, programming and
funding to support the mission for helping small business to sustain growth, be profitable and
employ others. She is the visionary behind: 1) the KBC CEO Forum for a select group of 20
Small Business CEOs and 2) the development of Construction Contractors College, an
educational program designed to help minorities bid and win government contracts. The
college is collaboration with Capital One Bank, The City of Houston, The Port of Houston,
Metro, Houston Independent School District, SBA, SCORE, Houston Community College,
Prime Contractors and Alternative Lenders.
Mrs. Weaver is knowledgeable in both the corporate and entrepreneurial aspects of business.
Her career encompasses investment banking, marketing, and sales for several Fortune 500
companies including Citibank, IBM, and Merrill Lynch. For 15 years, she was the
administrator of Advanced Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology, where she managed a staff in 2
locations. Mrs. Weaver also served as the Houston City Director and Executive Coach for
CoachVille, LLC, a premier coaching company with over 60,000 members.
Formerly the President of The Power of Positive Action, she is a Certified Executive &
Professional Coach and an Inspirational and Motivational Speaker
Mrs. Weaver received her MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Wharton School of Finance
at the University of Pennsylvania and her BA in Economics from Spelman College, Atlanta, GA.
Mrs. Weaver is married to a Dermatologist and has two adult children.
Topher Wilkins
Topher Wilkins, CEO of the Opportunity Collaboration, has been convening and connecting
people in collaborative environments for the purposes of social change for over a decade.
Starting with the City Club, which he co-founded, in Boulder, Colorado, to managing Dunton
Hot Springs, a luxury resort near Telluride, Colorado, and finally with the Opportunity
Collaboration, Topher is passionate about creating high-end, high-impact gatherings that create
greater opportunities for international social and economic justice, thereby building the
ecosystem for the social sector.
Christopher Hammond
The Parish Foundation
Tori Wright Soudan
Shoe Designer/Entrpreneur
Sponsors & Partners
Summit Support
Yolanda H. Caraway
Yolanda H. Caraway has nearly thirty years of policy-making, project management and
national and international political experience. Often sought to coordinate major
activities for the Democratic Party, as well as private organizations, her list of
professional achievements showcases years of organizational ability and management
expertise.
Ms. Caraway has played a major role in shaping the goals and objectives of the National
Democratic Party and has been called upon throughout her career to coordinate various
party efforts. In 1989, she played a pivotal role in the historic election of the late
Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown to Chair the Democratic National Committee
(DNC). She later became Chairman Brown’s Senior Advisor at Party Headquarters.
Most recently, Ms. Caraway managed the backstage and podium operations for the
2008 Democratic National Convention.
Since founding The Caraway Group in 1987, she has led her team in the counseling of a
number of well-known Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, government
agencies and high-profile individuals in every aspect of communications strategy. She is
a nationally recognized public relations and public affairs strategist who is known for
policy-making, political management and public relations work in government and the
nonprofit and private sectors.
Ms. Caraway has worked with major U.S. companies such as Microsoft Corp, AT&T,
MGM MIRAGE, Bristol Myers Squibb, Mitsubishi and Texaco. She has also counseled
government and nonprofit agencies such as the Congressional Black Caucus
Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce,
the Center for American Progress, the NATO 50th Anniversary Summit, and the Martin
Luther King Jr. National Memorial Foundation Project.
And in 2009, Ms. Caraway was appointed to the Council on American Politics, a group
of nationally renowned political leaders addressing current affairs and working toward
the growth and enrichment of The George Washington University School of Political
Management. She also serves on the Board of the Washington Performing Arts Society
(WPAS).
Ms. Caraway is a member of the Corporate Directors Group and the American College
of Corporate Directors.
Summit Support
Leshelle V. Sargent
In addition to starting The LVS Agency, a consulting firm that intersects at the world of fashion
and communications, Leshelle Sargent is currently the senior publicist for NBCUniversal’s
MSNBC. Prior to working for MSNBC, she was the publicity manager for The Smiley Group,
Inc. (TSG), the parent company founded by PBS broadcaster and New York Times bestselling
author Tavis Smiley. Leshelle first began her career working for Tina Knowles Productions and
for Mathew Knowles at Music World Entertainment. She is a member of the Entertainment
Publicists Professional Society (EPPS), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and
sits on the board for SAMMIE International. She is a graduate of Texas Southern University in
Houston, TX and lives in New York City.
Summit Support
Keshia Trotman
Integrity and professionalism complimented by compassion is my personal formula for
success. Using this formula along with my experience working in various leadership
capacities in both the government and in the non-profit sector Keshia founded K.Marie
& Associates, LLC, an educational consulting firm that provides support to individuals
and organizations seeking to develop strategies to assist children develop the necessary
skills to achieve academically and socially.
Keshia has worked for such agencies as The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, the
New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety – Office of the Attorney General
Office, and Office of the Essex County Prosecutor, Newark, New Jersey.
Keshia has been credited with developing such initiatives as the Essex County
Prosecutor’s Office Youth Summer Internship Program, and the annual World Against
Violence Youth Summit designed to raise awareness about pertinent public safety
issues impacting school aged youth throughout Essex County, and assisting with the
development of the community engagement strategy for Operation CeaseFire. She was
an integral part of the development of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s
(OAG) gang awareness video Gangs, Guns and Drugs and the OAG’s youth antidelinquency pilot program entitled Project Vision. She also developed a Community
Resource Tool Kit for New Jersey Non-Profit Organizations.
She has dedicated her entire professional career to working with families, especially
young people. Beginning her professional career as an outreach worker working with
women whose babies died during the first year of life. From that experience, she
learned that perception may not always be reality and regardless of one’s circumstance
you must do all that is in your power to assist those in need. Keshia has been
recognized by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
(NOBLE), New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and various community
organizations for her leadership within the Greater Essex County Community. Keshia
is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, a mentor and volunteers with New
Jersey Orators.
Keshia is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and Spelman College and she
attributes her success in life to God and her family. The keys to success are to pray,
work hard and to surround yourself with positive people, family and friends. Life is
truly what you make it.... so make the best of this gift!

Cohort III - Head and Heart Philanthropy

Transcription

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